This forum seemed about as close as any for a bottle bill question. I'll start by saying that I'm always very much in favor of recycling. In that spirit, I pay a monthly fee for curbside recycling in Knoxville. We recycle just about everything and compost most of the rest.

I don't understand how curbside recycling will tie in with the bottle bill. I'll pay the 5 cent deposit, but wouldn't get the deposit back when I recycle curbside. Therefore it seems like I'll be paying twice (deposit plus curbside fee) for the same service. Can anyone explain how these two services will work together? I'm already trying to do the right thing, but don't want to get charged twice.

I'll offer my perspective having moved here from Maine where there is a five cent deposit on cans and bottles and more for larger bottles.

It's a bit of a pain in the butt to cull out deposit bottles but pretty much everyone does it.... for various reasons...

The nickel ain't much so most people hurl cans and bottles outta there vehicle just like so many do here in TN... in Maine this is mostly beer bottles as ****ed near everyone drinks a six-pack on the way home from work and empties are evidence. (beer is sold everywhere in nearly any store that would also sell smoke products, liquor is also readily sold in the same places as is wine)

Now this is not a bad thing... DITCH DIVING is a State-wide activity... kids pick em up as do poor folks and those looking for enough cans/bottles to get MORE BEER (most common divers)

Many divers work in teams... mother (the wife) drives slowly with husband in the ditch... usually soaking wet as most ditches are damp at the least.. sometimes a diver will be on each side of the road with "mothah" at the wheel...

A common "technique" is to park and walk a half mile up one side then turn and come back on the other then advance the vehicle... this is often done by solo divers but not very wise as other divers will steal your bottles from your truck while it's parked (very common).

Winter in Maine is a harsh time to ditch dive as there is too much snow covering the bottles and cans... that's why late March is DITCH DIVING SEASON... AS THE SNOW MELTS MORE EMPTIES ARE REVEALED DAILY.

Most ditch diving occurs in the middle of the month thru then end of the month.... after the very generous Maine welfare checks (that nearly everyone qualifies for) are spent..... well funds for more ALLEN'S COFFEE BRANDY (mixed with half and half over ice) are quickly obtained on the way to nearly every country store (liquor is sold everywhere).

Virtually every store that sells returnables must accept them and give you money for them.... this spawned new businesses that count your bottles etc. and give you cash... MANY GIVE YOU 6 CENTS as stores charge you 5 cents but the bottlers have to pay them 8 cents for empties.

My Mom has a guy that comes to her house once a month... she leaves them outside (un-counted) on the prescribed Sunday; goes to church and finds an envelope of cash waiting.

Many people donate them to scouts, churches, school clubs, sports teams etc.

So outside of needing a place to store them it's not such a bad thing and it does stimulate the economy.... and liquor sales.

Don't know about beer sales in TN as I'm diabetic and don't drink but in Maine one can buy a single beer virtually anywhere. I was a home builder there for 26 years and most of the guys who worked for me would stop at the closest "beer store" (yes that's what they call them) for a couple beers for the ride home.

Yes folks do throw bottles to the divers; it's considered a CHARITABLE GESTURE.

March divers also find frozen roadkill as the snow recedes.

As the ground freezes a few feet deep and then thaws Maine enjoys MUD SEASON instead of spring.... frozen dirt expands and as it thaws the dirt particles are farther apart so you literally sink into the ground when you walk on it clear into May.

Ditch divers are easily identified by their muddy feet & pants.

My guess is that a bottle bill here would reduce unemployment and increase beer sales while making the roadsides cleaner.

Hope they don't throw their empties into the Kennebec, from the East Outlet down to Madison. Hate it when the trout get drunk in the middle of the day. They'll strike at anything! Must get the "munchies".

Hope they don't throw their empties into the Kennebec, from the East Outlet down to Madison. Hate it when the trout get drunk in the middle of the day. They'll strike at anything! Must get the "munchies".

Bill

****ation troutbum.... you have fished my former home waters?

I love the EO; don't fish the forks area but love Bingham, Solon, "The Pines" in Madison and of course the Shawmut Tailwater in Fairfield that was once the most awesome fishery east of the Mighty Miss.

The farther upcountry you go the fewer the divers.... outta town that far the bottles are so far in between they spend more on gas than they get in nickels.

So get this.... the State of Maine's Biologists believe that Brown trout in the Kennebec BELOW Madison cannot reproduce due HUMAN Birth control hormones that enter the river through municipal sewerage systems!

Seems it shrinks the male fish gonads.

Conversely I wonder if Viagra that gets pissed into the sewer has the same brown trout overly aggresive.